If there is one thing Major League Baseball teams can never have enough of it's pitching. Nothing is more important than having a good pitching staff, something that has carried many teams to unforeseen heights.
When the trade deadline approaches every year, pitchers are typically the premium position. No matter how well a team is doing, there always seems to be an emphasis on acquiring that one pitcher who can put a team over the top. Luckily for these teams, there always seems to be a top-notch pitcher available. For the right price, teams are usually willing to part with their best pitcher if they are not in contention. This year's prize is Seattle Mariners star Cliff Lee.
In last place and 14 games back of the A.L. West-leading Texas Rangers, the Mariners have no chance of making a run in the second half of the season. Lee's contract expires at the end of 2010, and the rebuilding franchise needs young players to help revitalize the club. With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching -- it's on July 31 -- expect teams to line up at the front door for Lee, one of baseball's best.
In 13 starts, Lee is 8-3 this season with a 2.34 ERA. The man has consistently been one of the best pitcher's in all of baseball over the past few years, and at 31-years-old there is no sign that he's slowing down anytime soon.
One of the many things that makes Lee great is his innate ability to work his way through a game, something that a lot of pitchers struggle to do. Moreover, Lee recently threw three complete games in a row -- some pitchers aren't even able to throw three complete games in an entire season.
What also makes Lee so appealing is his past performance in he postseason. Lee was virtually un-hittable last October, winning two games in the World Series against the Yankees. It's rare that a player with Lee's track record in the playoffs is available at the deadline, and it's a big reason why so many teams should be willing to throw Seattle just about anything they wants for his services.
I'm a big believer in winning now while also paying some respect to the future. Too many teams are attached to players in their farm system and as a result are not willing to part with them in trades. But when you have a chance to acquire a player of Lee's caliber, you do whatever is necessary. If that means giving up a top prospect, so be it.
The Minnesota Twins seem to be following that philosophy. Leaders of the A.L. Central, the Twins are desperately in need of an ace on their pitching staff. Yes, the Twins have never been a team that gets into the fray at the deadline, he Twins are apparently attempting to join baseball's true elite -- and that means making the blockbuster deal at the deadline. Although the Twins have been a perennial playoff team over the last decade, they haven't been perennial World Series contenders. Signing Joe Mauer to a huge long-term deal was a step in the right direction for Minnesota, and acquiring Lee would send a clear message to the rest of the American League that the Twins are for real.
Also in the hunt for Lee are the division-leading Cincinnati Reds,Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, as well as the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies (Lee's team last season). If Minnesota isn't able to get Lee, any of these teams would benefit greatly from adding him to their respective pitching staffs.
Any team in contention would be smart to acquire Lee, and they should be willing to do anything necessary to make it happen.
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